There will be an extra episode of Supernatural, The CW announced yesterday, expanding this Friday night favorite to 23 hours of programming in 2011-2012.

That's the exciting news. But now for the troubling question: Might season seven mark the end of the Winchester brothers? Network president Mark Pedowitz hopes not.

“It is not intended to be the last season,” Pedowitz said today at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour. “We’ll see how the ratings go. We hope it keeps going. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

What about Gossip Girl, meanwhile? Could it survive if Blake Lively and/or Leighton Meester depart to pursue movie careers?

“I’m a big believer in casts staying together," Pedowitz said. "We hope they stay together as long as possible. When we have to cross that bridge... we’ll see [what happens].”

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.